25 July,2025 08:15 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist Team
Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj
Do you want to know about a story that goes rags to riches, from bus conductor to being worshipped as a god-like stardom? Well, that's a story bound to inspire, especially when it comes from the horse's mouth - yes, Rajinikanth is writing his autobiography. Director Lokesh Kanagaraj, currently working with the superstar on the upcoming action entertainer Coolie, revealed the exciting news. "In the last two schedules [of Coolie], sir was busy with writing the autobiography. Every day, I would ask him, âWhat episode/phase are you in?' He would then let me know that this is what happened in his 42nd year [of his career]." Lokesh added that the superstar shared details he hadn't revealed to anyone else. "What you take away is that experience the man has seen. One common factor that connects not just me but everybody else in our state to him is all the hurdles that he has overcome." We're already picturing the queue outside the bookstores with huge banners.
Janhvi Kapoor seems to be playing her cards rather smartly - upping both her visibility and paycheque! Not content with just the Bollywood buzz, Janhvi is stepping firmly into South cinema territory. After her Telugu debut in the Jr NTR-starrer Devara: Part 1 (2024), she has reportedly upped her remuneration from Rs 5 crore to Rs 6 crore for the Ram Charan-led Peddi. In fact, word on the grapevine is that she is asking a cool R7 crore for Atlee's AA22. The makers are still in negotiation mode, while Janhvi appears quite adamant about proving her worth - especially with Allu Arjun and Deepika Padukone headlining the film. Will they cave in or call her bluff? Time will tell.
Words of praise mean nothing if they're not heartfelt. For Malayalam film actor Fahadh Faasil, who has always been lauded for his bold film choices and impeccable performances, compliments are nothing new - especially after a select few got a sneak peek at his film Maareesan, which released today (July 25). But when it's none other than the legendary Kamal Haasan doing the praising, even the most seasoned actors can't help but be delighted. The travel thriller, written by V Krishna Moorthy and directed by Sudheesh Sankar, sees Fahadh portray a thief with a plan to con a man suffering from Alzheimer's. Taking to his X timeline, Kamal wrote, "Watched Maareesan - a film that dances effortlessly between wit and depth, leaving me laughing, thinking, and admiring its craft. Had a wonderful conversation with the team to congratulate them on this delightful creation. Beneath its humour lies a socially conscious lens on human emotion and a keen gaze at the darker shadows of our society. The kind of inventive, spirited cinema I naturally gravitate towards - both as viewer and creator."
Bollywood is everywhere, and so are its stars. At the upcoming Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025, which kicks off this August, organisers have requested none other than Aamir Khan to hoist the Indian National Flag during the festival's annual Independence Day celebrations. "Having Aamir Khan, whose voice, vision, and cinema has had a profound impact on generations of film lovers, not just in India but globally, lead this moment, is truly a rare honour," said Mitu Bhowmick Lange, festival director. Aamir's latest offering, Sitaare Zameen Par, will also be screened at the event.
